Saturday 20 / April / 2024
The past week was unfortunately marred with tragedy in Oman. Here's a look at what made headlines this week, with Times of Oman's News Rewind:
Five girls and their mother, as well as two other women, died in a horrific house blaze in Oman, despite frantic efforts by a brother-in-law to battle the flames and save them. A 35-year-old mother, her five girls aged between 7 and 15, the mother’s 28-year-old sister and an Ethiopian maid all died in the fire at a villa in Barka, a Public Authority for Civil defence & Ambulance (PACDA) spokesman said.
A visa ban on non-Omanis in certain professions has been extended for six months. The Ministry of Manpower has issued a decision to extend the existing temporary visa ban on non-Omani workers in certain professions in the private sector. According to the decision, construction workers and cleaners will not get a visa for six months beginning December 2017.
Three promising Omani photographers lost their lives in a tragic accident, and a fourth is currently battling for his life in hospital, after their car collided with a truck early on Friday morning. The collision took place near Samail, after the four of them had left Duqm and were returning to Muscat. Emergency services from the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) rushed to save the youths at around 3:45am, before they were rushed to Nizwa hospital.
An Indian expat from Fujairah in the UAE died after he was washed away in a flood at Wadi Sheis in Sharjah. Albert Joy's body was later found in Oman, in Musandam's Al Madha Dam by a rescue team that involved police from Khasab.
Oman Air is offering an increased baggage allowance on flights from Muscat to India and the Philippines until December 15. Guests flying between Muscat and some Indian cities can now take advantage of an increased allowance of 40kg for two bags, while those flying from Muscat to Manila can take advantage of an increased allowance of 50kg for two bags. Read the details here.
